USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 48
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
John Henry Jones was educated in the public schools and Whitestown Sem- inary and continued with his parents until after he reached his majority. In 1877 he came to Utica and entered the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, with which he was identified for a number of years as one of the trusted employes. However, he was desirous of engaging in business on his own account and in 1897 he began trucking on a modest scale. Later Wilbur S. Clark was admitted as a partner. The business developed to a good paying basis and in 1905 a storage warehouse was added, which has proved one of the best investments the firm could have made. Mr. Jones is a man of unusual enterprise and perseverance deserving high credit for the many oh- stacles he has overcome and the regard he has gained by straightforward meth- ods and the use of the best facilities known in the lines he so ably represents.
On the 18th of June, 1884, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Lina Morgan, a daughter of Hon. Sewell S. and Julia (Fairchild) Morgan, of West Winfield, Herkimer county, New York. One son has been born to this union, Sewell Morgan, who is now living in Utica. Being essentially a business man, Mr. Jones has never sought political honors nor emoluments. He is a generous contributor to worthy causes and as a citizen ably performs his part in the upbuilding of the community. IIe is genial in manner, accommodating in dis- position and makes friends wherever he is known. Fraternally he is con- nected with Utica Lodge, No. 33, B. P. O. E., the Royal Arcanum, and the Arcanum Club.
JULIUS T. A. DOOLITTLE.
Julius T. A. Doolittle, a careful, able and conscientious lawyer, practicing in Utica, was born, October 18, 1861, in the city which is still his home. ITis parents were Charles H. and Julia T. (Shearman) Doolittle. The former was at one time mayor of Utica, and also justice of the supreme court in the state of New York. He was one of the ablest judges that ever occupied the bench of the court, his record reflecting credit and honor upon the state which hon- ored him. The mother was descended from a family that traces its line through illustrious ancestry to the very beginning of American history.
Julius T. A. Doolittle entered the public schools of Utica for the acquire- ment of his early education, and afterward attended St. Paul's school at Con- cord, New Hampshire, from 1877 until 1880. He attended Yale University until he won the bachelor of arts degree in 1884, on the completion of a four years' course, and for a brief period he engaged in teaching in St. Paul's school, at Concord, but soon took up the study of law. His careful preparation for the bar is manifest in the position to which he has attained as an able lawyer, conscientious in the performance of all his professional service. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, and his sound reasoning and logical deductions entertain his familiarity with the principles of jurisprudence. Aside from his law practice he is interested as a stockholder in many of the industries of Utica and in the financial institutions of the city.
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On the 8th of February, 1893, in Utica, Mr. Doolittle was united in mar- riage to Miss Sophia Mann, a daughter of James F. Mann, who was educated at Yale University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1859. His family was one of the oldest and best known in Utica, and has been identified with its business and professional life from the early days of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle now have three children, Maryette A., Sophia M., and JJulia T., and they also lost a daughter, Louise S., who died December 6, 1899. The parents are members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Doolittle's interests and activities have extended to many lines bearing directly upon the welfare and progress of the county and of signal benefit to his fellowmen. His political allegiance is given the republican party, and in 1905 he became special and act- ing surrogate of Oneida county. His social prominence is testified by his mem- bership in Fort Schuyler Club, Sadaquada Golf Club, the Yahnundahsis Golf Club and the University Club of New York city.
DAVID LLEWELLYN DAVIES.
The ambitious man creates the opportunities he needs thus stimulating all latent faeulties and generating the powers which enable him to attain the posi- tion to which he aspires. Among such as these must be numbered David Llewellyn Davies, who has met with more than a moderate degree of success in his business career. Of Welsh deseent he was born in Trenton, Oneida county, New York, on the 18th of February, 1847 and is a son of Rees and Margaret (James) Davies, who were natives of Wales.
Acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of this county he afterward attended Fairfield Seminary, going from there to Hungerford Col- legiate Institute. Here he pursued a course in civil engineering, being awarded his degree with the elass of 1873. Reared in a home where money was not plentiful after finishing the district schools David Llewellyn Davies entered the shops of the New York Central Railroad Company, where he learned the machinist's trade by means of which he acquired the money to enable him to complete his education. After receiving his diploma he returned to the em- ploy of the New York Central, but this time to their offices in the capacity of an engineer. At the expiration of four years, however, he withdrew from his position to engage in the retail shoe business in Utiea, continuing to be identi- fied with this line for thirteen years. In 1890 he became interested in a knitting factory, which four years thereafter was incorporated under the name of the Olympia Knit Goods Company. The magnitude of their business developed so rapidly that in 1902 they erected the factory building they are now occupy- ing in New Hartford. Mr. Davies is secretary and treasurer as well as general manager of this enterprise which is meeting with very good success.
In Utica, New York, on the 26th of October, 1875, Mr. Davies was united in marriage to Miss Fanny E. Jones, a daughter of Joseph aud Ann Jones, also natives of Wales. One child has been born to them, Joseph J. Davies, and they make their home in Utica. A loyal republican, Mr. Davies gives
DAVID L. DAVIES
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his support to the candidates of that party, and for three years was a member of the school board. His religious views coincide with those of the Presbyterian denomination and both he and his wife hold membership in the First church of Utica. Although he has reached the age of sixty-four years Mr. Davies still engages in business, a man of his mental ealiber and physical activity naturally finding it difficult to lead a retired life.
CHARLES E. BENTON.
Charles E. Benton, agent for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, and also identified with other industries of Utica, was born in this city, on the 24th of August, 1844, and is of English extraction, his parents, James and Susan (Brad- ley) Benton, having emigrated to the United States from the mother country. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1805 and was there reared and educated, subsequently learning the mason's trade, becoming a first-class work- man. Upon attaining his majority he decided to come to America and in 1826 crossed the Atlantic, taking up his residence in Utica, New York. During the remainder of his active business life he was engaged in contracting and build- ing in this city and in 1878 served as its mayor, being eleeted on the citizens ticket. Ile passed away in 1895, at the venerable age of ninety years. His wife, whose birth occurred in Leicestershire, England, died in Utica in 1888. Both were conformists and affiliated with St. Stephen's Episcopal church of New Hartford. In their family were three sons, Charles E., of this review ; James, who is living retired in Utica; and George, a farmer in Utiea.
Charles E. Benton was reared in Utica, where he acquired his education in the common schools. In early life he was engaged in farming and in 1866 purchased the historie Stonewall farm in New Hartford, from Burton D. Hurl- burt, at a very high price. The following year he was married and for twenty years he and his wife labored hard in its cultivation. By thrift and economy they paid for the place in that period, from the sale of its products. He still owns one of the best cultivated and highly improved farms of Oneida county comprising one hundred and fifty acres of land in the town of Hartford, ad- joining the city limits of Utica. The farm has always been chiefly devoted to dairying, and Mr. Benton has been an enthusiastic breeder of Ayrshire and Holstein cattle, devoting considerable attention to the crossing of these two breeds, with most excellent results.
In 1886 Mr. Benton's health failed and he was obliged to retire from the strenuous duties of the farm and two years later, in company with his son Fred- erick, he purchased a block of land from Elm to Kimball streets, on the West Shore Railroad, and embarked in the coal business. The son died in 1905, and sinee that time our subject has been alone in business and is agent for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company and receives a large patronage and is a man of unusual executive ability and business sagacity and has been officially con- neeted with a number of different enterprises. For several years he acted as receiver for the Utica Belt Line Street Railway and is now serving as president Vol. II-25
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of the Utica Sanitary Milk Company. Until recently he was also president of the Utica Canning Company, but is now vice president of that company.
Mr. Benton married Miss Lydia S. Smith and to them were born three children : Fannie S., now Mrs. E. W. Dixon; C. Frederick; and Theodore, who died in infancy. The elder son was educated in the New Hartford and Utica schools and later engaged in business with his father and was subsequently made agent of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, in which capacity he was serving when he developed consumption. He went to Denver in the hope that the climate would prove beneficial but steadily grew worse and there passed away, leaving a widow and two children.
Mr. Benton is a member of the Arcanum Club and Utica Chamber of Com- merce and Central New York Farmers Club, being one of the earliest members of the last named society. Religiously both he and his wife affiliate with Grace Episcopal church.
HUGH WHITE.
The importance of the business interests which are under the direction of Hugh White have made him widely known, rendering it unnecessary to write that which will establish his position as a leading business man of Utiea. He was born August 29. 1865, at Sweet Briar farm, in Ossian, Livingston county, New York, his parents being William Mansfield and Anna Maria White, the latter a daughter of William Constable Pierrepont. His early education was acquired at De Veaux, Niagara Falls, New York, and later he attended the Utiea Free Academy. His liberal training well qualified him to solve important business problems which he has since faced. His judgment is sound, his diserim- ination keen and his exeentive forces and administrative ability enable him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is now the active manager of the Pierrepont landed estate in northern New York, and he is also the secretary and treasurer of the Utiea Drop Forge & Tool Com- pany, and one of the directors of the Utica National Bank.
The military chapter in the life history of Mr. White began with his enlist- ment, on the 13th of November, 1888, in the Forty-fourth Separate Company of the National Guards of the state of New York. On the 8th of November, 1890, he was appointed first sergeant and was honorably discharged, on the 31st of JJanuary, 1896. Ilis political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he is loyal to its teachings and principles, yet has never sought or desired office, his time being fully occupied by his business activities and social interests. HIe belongs to the Fort Schuyler Club, of Utica, and the Rome Club, of Rome. New York. That he is interested in benevolent projects is indicated in the fact that he is now serving as treasurer of the House of the Good Shepherd.
On the 14th of June, 1904, Mr. White was married in Pittsfield, Massachu- setts. to Miss Theodora Miller, a daughter of Addison C. and Cynthia J. (Bray- ton) Miller. They have become the parents of three children: Theodora, born
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December 5, 1905; Hugh, born August 5, 1907; and Emily Pierrepont, whose birth occurred February 20, 1910. Such in brief is the history of one whose long residence in Oneida county has made him widely known, while his superior business ability and personal work have established him high in public regard.
THOMAS F. McKEOUGHI.
Thomas F. McKeough, president of the Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works, at No. 256 Whitesboro street, has in various connections proved his ability to capably control important business concerns and bring them to the point where active management spells success. He is one of Utica's native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 17th of May, 1860. His parents were Patrick and Bridget MeKeough, the former a native of Ireland, whence he came to America as a young man, hoping that the business opportunities of the new world would enable him to more rapidly acquire success than he could hope to do in his native country. He had previously learned the boiler maker's trade and, set- tling in Utica in 1848, he followed that business up to the time of his death in 1901.
His family was here reared and Thomas F. MeKeough pursued his education in the Assumption Academy, from which he was graduated in 1881. He after- ward attended a private technical school and made his initial step in the busi- ness world as an employe of the old Utica Steam Engine Works and there also learned the trade of a boiler maker. After a few years be became associated with Russell Wheeler, Son & Co. as mechanical engineer and later with the Kernan Furnace Company, with which he was connected for six years, repre- senting the company for two years as a traveling salesman upon the road, and on severing his connection with that house embarked in the heating and plumb- ing business on his own account at Syracuse. In 1895, however, he returned to Utica and became chief engineer for the Utica Gas & Electric Light Com- pany, with which he remained until 1904, when he accepted the position of man- ager with the Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works. He became financially in- terested in the buisness and in 1906 was chosen secretary and general manager, while in 1911 he was elected to the presidency. This does not by any means indicate the scope of his interests, however. He was also secretary and treas- urer of the Mohawk Valley Woolen Company, which he aided in organizing in 1902 and with which he was connected until the business was sold. He is now the vice president of the Frankfort Paper Company and president of the Me- Keough-Daugner Plumbing Company, both of this city. His plans are care- fully framed and his ability to use each opportunity to the best advantage is widely recognized. ITis energy overcomes obstacles and difficulties and by un- faltering determination he reaches the goal for which he has set out. His busi- ness interests are now extensive and important and his success is the well earned reward of his labor.
On October 16, 1911, Mr. MeKeough was united in marriage to Miss Flor- cnee E. Fisher, a daughter of E. J. and Martha Fisher, of this city. They re-
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side at 21 Summit place. Mr. MeKeough belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks at Utica and is the president and one of the directors of the Arcanum Club. His election to office in an organization of this character is indicative of his popularity among his friends, whose number is legion, for during his lifelong residence in Utica he has demonstrated the possession of those qualities which in every land and clime win friendship and regard.
GEORGE SEYMOUR, M. D.
The name of Dr. George Seymour is engraven ineffaceably on the roll of those whose serviees in the medieal profession were of eminent vahe to their fellowmen. He continued in general practice throughout his entire life al- though specializing to some extent in gynecology, and was the loved family physician in many a household in Utica and the surrounding distriet. Duty was his watchword and added to that there was a deep interest in his fellow- men which prompted his earnest and ofttimes self-sacrifieing effort for those to whom he ministered. He was born in De Ruyter, Madison county, New York, October 5, 1839, while his parents were temporarily residing at that place. He was deseended in the paternal line from Norman ancestry, the fam- ily, however, being founded in New England at an early period in the coloniza- tion of the new world. His grandfather, Silas Seymour, was a native of the state of Connecticut and became the first of the family to remove to New York, settling in West Winfield where he followed the oeeupation of farming. llis wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Thompkins, was also a native of Conneetient and was a woman of strong character and useful life.
Their fourth ehild was David Thompkins Seymour, whose birth occurred in West Winfield, New York, on the 11th of March, 1813. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Hannah Dodge, a daughter of Amasa Dodge, of West Winfield, the wedding being celebrated November 15, 1835. Shortly be- fore the birth of their son George the parents removed to De Ruyter, where they remained for two years, and then established their home in West Winfield, where they resided for seven years. They next beeame residents of Oswego county, New York, where Mr. Seymour passed away October 5, 1888. IIe devoted his time and energies to farming, earpentering and mechanical pur- suits, possessing much natural ability in the latter direction. For many years he was thus engaged and was recognized as a leader in the business eireles of the community. ITis widow long survived him passing away in 1903.
From early boyhood Dr. Seymour manifested an almost insatiable appetite for learning. He made good use of the opportunities offered by the distriet schools which he attended until fifteen years of age, and at the age of seventeen he took up the profession of teaching. dividing his time between that work and study in the academies of Pulaski and Mexico, New York, for a period of five years. He coneluded his academie studies in Mexico in 1859, when twenty years of age, and for a year thereafter suffered from ill health. At the end of that time he began reading medieine with Dr. F. S. Low, of Pulaski, as his
DR. GEORGE SEYMOUR
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preceptor. He taught school in Ohio for twelve consecutive months while pursuing his studies, devoting only his evenings and his leisure hours to his preparation for the medieal profession. In 1862 he was matriculated at the medical college of the University of the City of New York, where he remained until graduated with the class of 1865. He felt that the profession which he had chosen was the one for which taste, inclination and natural talent qualified him, and with deep interest in his work he entered upon active practice. His first professional service came to him on the battle fields of the south. The country was involved in the Civil war when he completed his college training, and he went to the front as aeting assistant surgeon, being assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac. By reason of the close of the war he returned to Pulaski three months later, where he entered into practice with his former preceptor, Dr. Low, while later he practiced independently for four years. On the expiration of that period he succeeded to the practice of Dr. J. N. Lyman, of Mannsville, Jefferson county, where he remained for six years, and he spent one and a half years in New York, giving his attention there largely to post- graduate work in his alma mater.
Dr. Seymour became identified with professional circles in Utica in Feb- ruary, 1879, and remained continuously in practice up to the time of his demise, which occurred November 8, 1909, when he was seventy years of age. The de- mands made upon his time and energies grew as the years passed by. His ability was widely acknowledged and found its root in his comprehensive un- derstanding of scientifie principles which underlie the work, in his careful diagnosis of eases and in his sympathetic understanding of his patients. He always had a cheery word and pleasant smile for those whom he visited, and his presence in a siek room was like a ray of sunshine, heartening and eneourag- ing all. He was the first physician in Utica to introduce anti-toxin into his practice, showing that progressive spirit that was always ready to embrace the latest discoveries of the scientist's laboratories, carefully testing and convine- ing himself of their worth and efficacy. That he enjoyed the highest respect and confidence of his professional brethren is indicated by the many times that he was honored by his associates. He was made a delegate to the state medical society in 1881 and became a permanent member in 1884. In 1877 he joined the Oneida County Medical Society and remained an active member of the Utica Medieal Library Association, of which he was one of the incorporators, until his death. Ilis work included much important hospital practice. He had been a resident of Utiea for but a short period when he was made physician to the maternity department of St. Elizabeth's Hospital and thus served for two years. For five years he was regular visiting physician to the Faxton IIos- pital but resigned in 1890 on account of the increasing demands of his private practice. For a long period he was one of the physicians of St. Luke's Hospital, sustaining an active relation as visiting and consulting physician and as lee- turer on obstetries to the School for Nurses connected therewith. Ile was for several terms a member of the board of health and served one term as special quarantine officer. His contributions to medical literature made him widely known, his articles appearing frequently in the different medical journals, while at various times he read papers before the county and state medical so-
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cieties. When called upon to speak in any publie assemblage he was heard in a most happy vein and in 1891 he was asked to respond to the toast "The Alumni," at the annual alunni dinner of the University of the City of New York. The charming delivery and his graceful, pleasing manner made the speech one of the attractive features on that occasion.
On the 21st of June, 1866, Dr. Seymour was married to Miss Lydia Winegar, of Central Square, Oswego county, and they became the parents of a daughter, Anna. The wife and mother died January 11, 1870, and May 1, 1872, Dr. Sey- mour wedded Mrs. Sarah B. Kinney, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Shepard, of Mannsville, New York, who died June 5, 1907. Dr. Seymour was a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian church of Utica, of which he was long a devoted communieant and for many years an elder. Politically he was an ardent de- fender of the principles of the democratic party. His social qualities rendered him popular wherever he was known and assured him of the warm regard of all with whom he was associated. Ile stood for that which is best in citizen- ship and his influence was always on the side of right and progress. Ilis own intellectual development made him a valued factor wherever the intelligent men of the city were gathered in the discussion of important problems and questions.
EDWARD LEE WELLS.
Edward Lee Wells, president of the J. B. Wells & Son Company, dry-goods merchants of Utiea, and a representative of one of the best known families in Oneida county, was born at Utica, March 1. 1852. He is a son of John Breed Wells, for many years a prominent merchant of this city, and Roxanna Hill (Lee) Wells. The father was born at Colchester, Connecticut, August 24, 1816, a son of Henry and Sophia (Breed) Wells. He moved with the family in his early youth to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and at the age of fourteen was ap- prenticed to Owen & Hurlburt, paper manufacturers of South Lee, Massachu- setts, and spent seven years in their general supply store. He then purchased the store and continued the business for a year. In 1839 he came to Utica and was for two years in the employ of his cousins, A. L. and R. H. Wells, in the dry-goods business. In 1841 he associated with Lewis Bailey of Utiea as Bailey & Wells and they were in the dry-goods business for two years at Auburn and for the next three years at Utica. In 1846, the partnership having expired, he started in business on his own account and became the head of one of the largest dry-goods houses in eentral New York. In 1865 he admitted John S. Capron as a partner, the firm becoming J. B. Wells & Company, and in 1873 Edward Lee Wells was admitted to partnership under the title of J. B. Wells Son & Company. The firm sustained a heavy loss by fire, amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars, on May 9, 1893, but soon recovered and reopened with a larger and finer stock of goods than had been destroyed. Mr. Wells was one of the founders of the Skenandoah Cotton Company in 1882 and served as vice president and president of the company. This concern began with a
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